Pittwater Development Control Plan 21 also applies to the site but subject to the requirements in cl 5(3) of the Policy.
The contentions
12 The contentions raised by the council can be summarised as:
1.the inadequate regard given to neighbourhood amenity and streetscape on the basis that the proposed buildings have excessive bulk and scale and are inconsistent with the desired character of the area,
2. the proposal does not satisfy the requirements in cl 44(c), in that the proposal is not single storey in the rear 25%, and
3. the proposed boat shed is unsuitable because of the inadequate side setbacks and potential use.
The evidence
13 Ms Gina Hay provided town planning evidence for the council and Mr Lance Doyle provided town planning evidence for the applicant. A number of local residents provided evidence on site and supported the contentions raised by the council and also the additional contentions of traffic safety, the impact on the intersection of Riverview Road and Hudson Parade and tree loss.
Bulk scale and character
The evidence
14 Ms Hay states that the proposal is out of character with the surrounding area. She describes the predominant form of development in the area as one and two storey dwellings in a leafy setting. Dwellings are fairly modest with extensive native flora predominating, particularly the tree canopy. When compared to this character, the proposal is inconsistent by the extent and massing along the street frontages. While modulated, the modulation is on a small scale, compared to the overall size of the buildings. The lack of separation was seen by Ms Hay as being a significant issue as it does not sit easily in its immediate context.
15 Mr Doyle comes to the opposite conclusion. He states that the proposal maintains a height well below the tree canopy level and bulk and scale has been minimised through the modulation and the separation of the two buildings. The existing tree vegetation, including the significant tree canopy, has been retained and supplemented with new plantings.
16 Mr Doyle summarises the desired future character as set out in DCP 21 as:
Future development will maintain a height below the tree canopy and minimise bulk and scale. Existing and new vegetation including canopy trees will be integrated with development. The objective is that there will be houses amongst the trees and not trees amongst the houses.
17 When compared to this desired future character, Mr Doyle states that the proposal is acceptable.
Findings
18 On this issue, there are a number of matters in the Policy that need to be considered. The Policy, at cl 33, provides that the proposal should:
- recognise the desirable elements of the location's current character, (cl 33(a)),
- contribute to the quality and identity of the area, (cl 33(a)),
- provide setbacks to reduce bulk and overshadowing, (cl 33(c)(i)),
- adopt building heights at the street frontage that are compatible with adjacent development, (cl 33(c)(iii)),
- adopt a front building line that is in sympathy, but not necessarily, the same as the existing building line, (cl 33(d)),
- use planting that is in sympathy with other planting in the streetscape, (cl 33(e)), and
- retain major trees, (cl 33(f)).
19 Some guidance in addressing the issue of compatibility of housing for aged persons or persons with a disability within a low density residential development environment is found in GPC No5 (Wombarra) Pty Limited v Wollongong City Council [2003] NSWLEC 268, where four principles are identified. These state:
15 The first principle is that buildings in a SEPP 5 development do not have to be single-storey to be compatible with the streetscape even where most existing buildings are single-storey. The principle does not apply to conservation areas where single-storey dwellings are likely to be the major reason for conservation.